ESPN will name network veteran Mike Greenberg as the host of “Sunday NFL Countdown,” The Athletic reported Tuesday.
He will replace Samantha Ponder, who was fired last week with one year and more than $1 million remaining on her three-year deal in what The Athletic called a cost-cutting move.
Greenberg, 57, joined ESPN in September 1996 as an ESPNEWS anchor, and he also anchored SportsCenter. He is best known as one half of “Mike & Mike,” the morning radio show that was simulcast on television and premiered on Jan. 3, 2000.
He and former NFL player Mike Golic were a team until the show ended Nov. 17, 2017. Both were inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters’ Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2016 and the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
The duo formerly hosted the NFL draft on ESPN Radio, and Greenberg later took over as anchor of the draft on television.
Greenberg has been seen on several ESPN shows through the years. He currently hosts the network’s morning show, “Get Up,” as well as “Greeny” on ESPN Radio. He also served as host of “NBA Countdown,” the network’s NBA pregame show.
On “Sunday NFL Countdown,” he is expected to be joined by returnees Tedy Bruschi, Randy Moss, Rex Ryan and Alex Smith, along with NFL insider Adam Schefter.
By putting Greenberg in place now, ESPN and ABC can begin preparations for 2027, when the sister networks will air the Super Bowl for the first time.
–Field Level Media